Line fastener



Sept. 1 9, 1944. H. LEONARD 2,358,580

LINE FASTENER Filed April 17, 1943 fA/Vf/VTOR flaw/ [fa/mum Patented Sept. 19, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LINE FASTENER Henry Leonard, Portland, Oreg.

Application April 17, 1943, Serial No. 483,375

2 Claims. (Cl. 242-117) This invention relates generally to cable winding mechanisms and particularly to a line fastener.

The main object of this invention is to provide an exceedingly simple and efiicient form of line fastener whereby a line will be quickly and securely fastened to a Winch head or drum having a transversely concave surface, and of the type commonly referred to as cat heads or nigger heads.

The second object is to provide an inexpensive and efiicient line fastener which may instantly secure the end of a line or the bight thereof.

The third object is to construct a fastener of the class described which will not require any special tools to apply or release same.

The fourth object is to so construct the device that it is applicable to any of the common types of winch heads, and when once so applied, cannot be turned to an inoperative position.

The fifth object is to so construct the device, that it will not injure the line, whether it be of the wire or manila type, and also be adaptable to a wide range of linediameters.

These and other object are accomplished in the manner set forth in the following specification, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a winch head.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1, with a portion cut away in section along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 2.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring in detail to the drawing, there is shown a common form of winch head Ill having the concave surface ll terminating in the outer rim l2. The problem solved by my invention, is to secure a line [3 to the winch head ill. The common practice is to form a hole through the surface ll through which the end [4 of the line I3 is passed, and then take several wraps around the head In to insure a proper hold being taken. However, the threading of the line l3 through a hole in the head I is not as easy as it appears, since the lines l3 are often quite stiff and unwieldy.

Referring particularly to my device, same will be seen to consist of a bolt l5 having a hook l6 formed on the outer end thereof, and having its threaded end I! provided with a hand wheel nut [8 whose projections l9 provide convenient fultwisted as the winding proceeds.

crums for an operating bar (not shown). It is desirable to extend the hub 20 to afford protection for the threads of the bolt and also increase the number of threads in the nut itself.

Welded to the interior surface 2| of the head I0 is a boss 22 in which is formed a round hole 23 which is provided with a spline 24 which extends into the'bolt I5 and prevents its rotation either under stress of 'the line, or while the nut 18 is being tightened or loosened.

The operation of the device is as follows:

Assuming that it is desired to hold the end M of the line I3 upon the head II), it is merely necessary to back up the nut l8 to permit the bolt l5 to be withdrawn sufiiciently to allow the head M to pass under the hook l6, and then tighten the bolt i5 by means of the nut I8, preferably by inserting a bar or heavy spike between the projections l 9. If the bight of the line is to be secured to the head I0, the operation is the same;

In some cases, it will be found desirable to provide a hole 25 in the surface II to receive the point 26 of the hook IE to prevent any undue strains from the line l3 being transferred to the spline 24. It will also be desirable to provide a cotter key 21 in the end of the bolt I! to prevent the accidental operation of the parts.

The question may be raised as to the purpose of attaching the bight'of the line to the head, and what would prevent the line from becoming Theanswer is that this is done only when ashort, slow pull is required, and any twist which develops will naturally be taken out when the line is paid out.

I claim:

1. A winch head having a transversely curved cable winding surface, and having a radial opening therethrough, a hook bolt splined within said opening having its threaded end extending into said head and having a nut thereon, the hook end of said bolt projecting alongthe surface of said head in the plane of the head axis said head having a second opening therein adapted to receive the point of said hook bolt.

2. A winch head having a transversely concave cable winding surface, said head having two radial holes formed therethrough, a hook bolt exhole adapted to prevent the rotation of said bolt therein, the point of said hook extending into the other hole when in a line clamping position.

' HENRY LEONARD. 

